Mail-box.



E. L. CARPENTER & G. 0. RYAN.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.17, 1912.

Patented July 30, 1912.

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MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1912. 1,033,874, Patented July 30, 1912.

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ilNlTED AS PT EDSON IA. CARPENTER AND CHARLES 0. RYAN, OF ELDORA, IOWA.

MAIL-BOX.

Application filed April 17, 1912.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Emma L. CARPEN- 'I'ER and CHARLES 0. RYAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Eldora, in the county of Hardin and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in mail boxes and has for its object to provide improved means for mounting the box upon a supporting post whereby the box may be easily and quickly adjusted vertically upon the post.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved form of box and mounting therefor which is particularly designed for use upon rural mail routes, and a latch device'to retain the box normally in an upright position upon the post, said latch being released by the mail carrier without leaving his wagon or conveyance so that the box may swing outwardly from the post whereby its contents may be readily removed and mail matter placed therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an adjustably mounted mail box for rural routes which is of comparatively simple construction, strong durable and highly convenient and serviceable in practical use.

WVith the above andother objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail box and supporting post therefor embodying the present invention, the box being disposed in position to receive the mail; Fig. 2 is a vertical section, the box being disposed in its normal upright position upon the post; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.2; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the pivoted end of the box standard.

Referring in detail to the drawing 5 designates a metal post preferably constructed of steel or iron and of rectangular channel form in cross section. The parallel flanges 6 of this post are provided adjacent to their longitudinal edges with the openings 7 and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1912.

Serial No. 691,350.

8 respectively. The keeper bolts 9 are disposed through the openings 7 and connect and brace the flanges of the post. A pivot bolt 10 is adjustably mounted in the openings 8 of the post flanges. A nut 11 is threaded upon one end of this bolt to retain thetsame in the flanges of the supporting pos The box standard 12 is of similar form in cross section to the post 5 and the upper end of this standard is rigidly secured in any preferred manner to the back and bottom wall of a mail receiving box 13 which will be later described in detail. At the other end of the standard 12 the intermediate body portion thereof which connects the parallel fianges is bent upon itself to provide a sleeve 14: through which the pivot bolt 10 is loosely disposed.

At a point substantially midway the ends of the standard 12 a bolt 15 is secured in the longitudinal flanges thereof and upon this bolt the latch plate 16 is mounted, said plate being bent intermediate of its ends to loosely surround said bolt as indicated at 17. One end of this latch plate is offset as at 18 to provide an angularly disposed shoulder 19. The offset end of this latch plate is slightly bent or curved as shown so that in the movement of the standard 12 toward the post 5, said offset end will engage with one of the bolts 9 and ride over the same, the shoulder 19 engaging behind said bolt and effectually holding the standard 12 and mail box mounted thereon against outward movement. Upon one end of the bolt 15 a hook 20 is arranged for engagement with the links of a chain 21. This chain is removably attached at one of its ends to the bolt 9 with which the latch plate engages, said chain limiting the outward swinging movement of the standard 12. The body wall of the standard is provided with an elongated rectangular opening 16 through which the latch plate 16 extends. It will be obvious that by pressing downwardly upon the outer end of the latch plate the shoulder 19 thereof will be disengaged from the bolt 9 so that said standard is free to swing outwardly from the post to the limit of its movement. When in such position the mail box is conveniently disposed to receive the mail without necessitating that the postman descend from the wagon or other conveyance. The standard may be readily adjusted to dispose thebox at the desired height above the ground by simply removing the bolt 10 from the lower openings 8 in the flanges of the post 5 and position the same through the upper openings. By adjusting the hook 20 in the links of the chain 21 the limit of outward movement of the standard from the post may also be adjusted as desired.

We have also designed an improved form of mailbox for usein conjunction with our improved mounting or supporting means therefor. This box is preferably constructed of sheet metal and is of rectangularform in plan. The lid or cover 22 is hinged to the upper edge of'the rear wallof'the box and is provided with flanges to engage over the edges of the front and end walls thereof. The flange on the free longitudinal edge of the-lid or cover is provided with a bead 23 to strengthen the same and also serve as means whereby the lid may be readily lifted and moved to its open position. Heretofore considerable difliculty has been experienced in picking up postal cards and other mail matter from the bottom of the box, especially in cold weather when the hands are gloved. In order to permit of the ready removal of the mail without requiring the withdrawal oftheglove from the hand we provide the parallel transverse-ribs or cleats 2a which are also preferably formed of sheet metal and are of channel form in cross sec tion, said cleats connecting the front and rearwalls of the body of the box adjacent the bottom thereof. To the bottom wall of the box in one corner thereof a shallow money receiving cup 25 is secured. The money in payment for stamps, writing materials, etc, is placed in this cup so that it maybe easily and quickly removed by the carrier.

From the foregoingit is believed that the construction and manner of operation of our improved mail box and support therefor will be clearly understood.

As the device is entirely constructed of metal, it will be seen that the same is extremely strong and durable and capable of withstanding the severe usage to which devices of this character are subjected. Our improved box mounting also provides means whereby the mail matter may be easily and quickly deposited in the box, and the box readily returned and latched in its normal upright'position upon the post simply by forcing the box standard toward the supporting post.

Owing to the extremely simple form of the various parts, it will be seen that the entire device can be produced at comparatively small cost.

While we have shown and described the preferred from and arrangement of the various elements it will be obvious that the invention is susceptible of considerable modlfication without departing from the essential features or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

WVhat we claim is 1. In a device of the character described the combination with a supporting post, of a box carrying standard pivotally mounted at one of its ends upon said post for lateral swinging movement, means to limit theoutward movement of said standard, and a latch member carried by said standard to engage a keeper on the post and hold the standard against outward swinging movement.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a post, of a box carrying standard pivotally mounted at one end upon said post and' adjustable vertically thereon, means to limit theoutward swinging movement of said standard, keeper bolts mounted in the post: and a pivoted latch element carried by the standard to engage one of the keeper bolts and hold said standard against pivotal movement.

3. In a device of the character described the combination with a post of channel form in cross section, a plurality of bolts cona pivot bolt vertically adjustable in. said flanges, of a box carrying standard mounted at one end upon said pivot bolt for swinging movement, a chain connectingsaid post and said standard to limit. the outward swinging movement of the latter, and a latch member mounted in the standard for :movement between the flanges of the post and adapted for engagement over one. of

the connecting boltsbetween the flanges of said post to hold the standard against outward movement.

4. In a device of the character. described the combination with a supporting post of j rectangular form in cross-section, a plurality of bolts connecting the flanges of said 1 post, said flanges being provided with spacedopenings adjacent their edges, a pivot bolt 5 adjustable in said openings, of a box carry- ;ing standard mounted upon said pivot; bolt "for swinging movement, a chain, connected fat one end of the post and adjustably con- 1 nected to said standard to-limit the outward swinging movement. thereof, andv a pivoted latch member mounted in the standard intermediate of its ends and adapted to engage with one of the connecting bolts between the flanges of' the post and support said standard against pivotal movement with relation to the post.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a post. of channel form in cross section and-a plurality of bolts connecting the parallel flanges-of said post, of a box carrying standard pivotally and adjustably mounted upon the post, said standard being also of channel form in cross section, a bolt connecting the flanges of the standard, the body wall of said standard being provided with a longitudinal opening, a latch plate pivotally mounted upon said bolt and extending through said opening, said plate being provided with a curved offset end forming a shoulder for engagement over one of the connecting bolts between the flanges of the post, and a chain connecting said post and standard to limit the outward swinging movement of the latter.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aiiiX our signatures in the presence of two wit- 15 nesses.

EDSON L. CARPENTER. CHARLES 0. RYAN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD H. LUNDY, E. R. BASKERVJLLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

